Clamp lugs and carrier ring for a rim and wheel assembly

ABSTRACT

A rim and wheel assembly including a series of axially inner clamp means and a series of axially outer clamp lugs on an annular, full-circle, carrier ring to cooperatively engage the mounting flange of a rim. The wheel has means thereon for positive retention of the clamp lugs. The clamp means are supported by fastening elements extending axially through the wheel. The fastening elements carry fastening means which draw the clamp means toward the clamp lugs to seat the rim flange. The carrier ring has means thereon so that the clamp lugs may be rotated onto the positive retention means without removal of the fastening means from the fastening elements. The carrier ring may also have stop means thereon so that the clamp lugs will not be rotated off the positive retention means should the fastening means become loose or untightened during operation.

United States Patent 11 1 DeRegnaucourt Feb. 5, 1974 [75] Inventor:Robert A. DeRegnaucourt,

Centerville, Ohio [73] Assignee: The Dayton Steel Foundry Company,Dayton, Ohio [22] Filed: June 29, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 267,435

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.252,411, May 11,

[52] US. Cl. 301/12 R, 301/13 SM, 301/20 [51] Int. Cl B601) 23/00 [58]Field ofSearch ..30l/1 11 R,

301/13 SM, 18, 19, 20, 36 R 6/1952 Switzerland 301/13 R 5/1934 France301/12 R Primary Examiner-Richard J. Johnson Assistant Examiner-ReinhardJ. Eisenzopf Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mack D. Cook, 11

[ ABSTRACT A rim and wheel assembly including a series of axially innerclamp means and a series of axially outer clamp lugs on an annular,full-circle, carrier ring to cooperatively engage the mounting flange ofa rim. The wheel has means thereon for positive retention of the clamplugs. The clamp means are supported by fastening elements extendingaxially through the wheel. The fasteni ng elements carry faster igggeans which draw the clamp ma'ris toward the clamp lugs to seat the riinflange. The carrier ring has means thereon so that the clamp lugs may berotated onto the positive retention means without removal of thefastening means from the fastening elements. The carrier ring may alsohave stop means thereon so that the clamp lugs will not be rotated offthe positive retention means should the fastening means become loose oruntightened during operation.

2 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED 4 SHEU 1 [IF 3 PATENTH] FEB 51874SHEET 2 OF 3 CLAMP LUGS AND CARRIER RING FOR A RIM AND WHEEL ASSEMBLYCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is acontinuation-in-part of the inventors joint application with William D.Walther, Ser.

No. 252,411, filed May 11, 1972, and has as its subject 1 BACKGROUND OFTHE INVENTION The invention relates to a rim and wheel assembly. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to an improve ment for the rim andwheel assembly of co-pending application Ser. No. 252,411 filed May 11,1972, whereby a tire carrying rim is mounted on a wheel, such as thefront wheel, of a motor vehicle, such as a truck.

The rim and wheel assembly of co-pending application, Ser. No. 252,411,filed May 11, 1972, includes a series of axially inner clamp means and aseries of axially outer clamp lugs to cooperatively engage the mountingflange of a rim. The whell has means thereon for positive retention ofthe clamp lugs. The clamp means are supported by fastening elementsextending axially through the wheel. The fastening elements carryfastening means which draw the clamp means toward the clamp lugs to seatthe rim flange. In one embodiment, the rim and wheel assembly of saidco-pending application has a series of clamp lugs projecting radiallyinwardly from an annular or full-circle carrier ring.

When demounting a tire carrying rim, it has been found that removal ofthe fastening means by the mechanic will sometimes result in thefastening elements being displaced, mutilated, deformed or even lost. Ithas also been found that the fastening means will sometimes become looseor untightened during operation so that the clamp lugs will be rotatedoff the positive retention means on the wheel.

The improvements provided by the present invention are intended toprovide a carrier ring such that the clamp lugs may be rotated onto thepositive retention means without removal of the fastening means from thefastening elements. The carrier ring may also have a stop means so thatthe clamp lugs will not be rotated off the positive retention meansshould the fastening means become loose or untightened during operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide animproved rim and wheel assembly.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a rim and wheelassembly having components which will assure lateral alignment andminimize radial runout of the rim when mounted on the wheel.

It is a specific object of the invention to provide improvements for therim and wheel assembly disclosed in the inventors priorjoint applicationwith William D. Walther, Ser. No. 252,411, filed May 11, 1972.

These and other objects of the invention, and the advantages thereof,will be apparent in view of the De scription of various Embodiments asset forth below.

In general, a rim and wheel assembly according to the invention hasclamping elements including a series of axially inner clamp means and aseries of axially outer clamp lugs projecting radially inwardly of anannular carrier ring. The wheel has a peripheral portion with meansthereon for positive retention of the clamp lugs. The clamp means aresupported by fastening elements extending axially through bores in thewheel. The fastening elements carry fastening means which draw the clampmeans toward the clamp lugs to seat the rim flange. The carrier ring hasmeans thereon so that the clamp lugs may be positioned as to thefastening elements and rotated onto the positive retention means withoutremoval of the fastening means. The carrier ring may also have stopmeans so that the clamp lugs will not be rotated off the positiveretention means should the fastening means come loose or untightenedduring operation.

As disclosed herein, the clamp lugs may be attached, as by welding, tothe carrier ring, and the carrier ring and the clamp lugs may haveseveral forms.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an axially outer plan view of aleft front rim and wheel assembly according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view in perspective of a carrier ring and clamplug accordingto the invention;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view of a rim and wheel assembly,taken substantially as indicated on line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an axially inner plan view of a rim and wheel assembly, takensubstantially as indicated on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating another form ofcarrier ring and clamp lug according to the invention; 1

FIG. 6 is a radially outer view taken substantially as indicated on line6-6 of FIG. 5; 1

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating still another formof carrier ring and clamp lug according to the invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating still another formof carrier ring and clamp lug according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As best shown in FIG. 3, a rim andwheel assembly using the clamp lug carrier ring accoridng to theinvention, is referred to generally by the numeral 20. The single rim isreferred to generally by the numeral 21. The wheel is referred togenerally by the numeral 23. The series of axially inner clamp means isreferred to generally by the numeral 24. The fastening elements arereferred to generally by the numeral 25. The series of axially outerclamp lugs projecting radially inwardly from the carrier ring arereferred to generally by the numeral 226. The positive retention meansfor the clamp lugs 226 are referred to generally by the numeral 27. Thefastening means for the fastening elements 25 are referred to generallyby the numeral 28. The annular carrying ring for the clamp lugs 226 isreferred to generally by the numeral 227.

The rim 21 may be a conventional flat base rim having a fixed beadflange and a removable bead flange (not shown). As shown, the mountingflange of the rim' 2] has an axially inner holding surface 31,preferably inclined at an angle of 28 from the rotational axis of therim. The holding surface 31 intersects and merges into a radially innerseating surface 32, preferably axially oriented substantially horizontalor parallel to the rotational axis of the rim. The seating surface 32intersects and merges into an axially outer gutter or positioningsurface 33, preferably radially oriented substantially vertical orperpendicular to the rotational axis of the rim. The rim mountingsurfaces 31,32 and 33 depict a conventional form of a mounting flangefor a rim which may be assembled on a wheel according to the invention.The angularity of these surfaces could be varied somewhat in relation tothe rotational axis of the rim while still utilizing the subject matterof the inven tion.

The wheel 23 may be either a cast spoked wheel or a disc wheel, formedby stamping or forging. As shown, the wheel 23 is a spoked wheel havinga conventional hub area 35. Any desired number of spokes 36, preferablyfive or six, extend radially of the hub area 35.

The peripheral portion of each spoke 36 has a boss surface 37 forseating a radially oriented surface on a carrier ring 227, as describedin further detail below.

The positive retention means 27 for the clamp lugs 226 on the peripheralportion of a wheel 23 may be formed, as shown, by the boss surface 37radially oriented substantially vertically or perpendicular to therotational axis of the wheel, an intersecting surface 38 axiallyoriented substantially horizontal or parallel to the rotational axis ofthe wheel, an intersecting surface 39 inclined radially inwardly andaxially outwardly in relation to the rotational axis of the wheel, andan intersecting concave surface 40 axially oriented substantiallyhorizontal or parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel. The clamplug retention surfaces 37, 38, 39 and 40 define one form of a positiveretention means 27. The angularity of these surfaces could be variedsomewhat in relation to the rotational axis of the wheel.

An axially oriented bore 41, for loosely receiving the shank of thefastening elements in the form of support bolts 25 for the clamp means24, extends through the peripheral portion of a wheel 23 radiallyinwardly of the surface 40. The outer end of a bore 41 opens onto a bosssurface 37. As shown, the inner end of a bore 41 opens into an open area42, provided by a means for positioning a clamp means 24 while engaginga rim flange surface 31.

As shown, the clamp means 24 may be provided by a series ofindividualelements as described in detail below. In this embodiment, the clampmeans 24 are positioned by sliding contact with sets of parallelsurfaces 43 axially oriented substantially horizontal or parallel to therotational axis of the wheel, on the radially outer side of the wheelperipheral portions defining the open or slotted area 42 and on oppositesides of a support bolt 25.

The clamp means 24 may be a series of one-piece solid elements. The boltportion 25 thereof, threaded as at 46 for engagement with a fasteningmeans 28 in the form of a nut, extends through a wheel bore 41 to joinwith a wedge portion 47. The radially outer face of a wedge portion 47has a conical surface 48 for matingly engaging a correspondinglyinclined rim flange mounting surface 31. The radially inner face ofawedge portion 47, on opposite sides of the juncture point with the boltportion 25, has axially oriented surfaces 49 for slidingly engaging thesurfaces 43 on the wheel when the fastening means 28 are tightened.

While not shown in the drawings, the clamp means 24 could be made in theform of a full-circle or ring member carrying a series of support bolts25 for insertion through a series of wheel bores 41 and a series of rimflange engaging surfaces 48. This alternative form for the clamp means24 could be utilized without departing from the subject matter of theinvention.

A carrier ring 227 has a radially inwardly projecting clamp lug 226 foreach support bolt 25.

A carrier ring 227 has a radially inwardly directed circumferentiallycontinuous web or body portion 251. In the forms depicted in FIGS. 1-7,the carrier rings 227 also have an axially directed flange 252 formounting of the clamp lugs 226.

The ring web portion 251 has an axially inner surface 253 to slidablyengage a boss surface 37 on the wheel 23. The web portion 251 also hasthereon or therethrough a series of arcuate slots 254 formed on a radiusconcentric with the wheel bores 41. Each slot 254 terminates in anenlarged diameter bore or keyhole portion 255 so that the carrier ring227 may be fitted over the fastening nuts 28 when the nuts are merelyloosened and not removed. The slots 254 and the bore portions 255provide means so that the clamp lugs 226 may be rotated onto thepositive retention means 27, as shown by the chain lines in FIG. 1,without removal of the fastening nuts 28 from the support bolts 25.

When the carrier ring 227 is used for a rim and left front wheelassembly 20, as shown in FIG. 1, the slots 254 extend left-to-right tothe bore portions 255. This is a safety feature so that braking of thevehicle will cause the ring 227 to remain in the assembled conditioneven if the fastening nuts 28 have become loosened. If desired, acarrier ring 227 for use on a rim and right front wheel assembly 20could have the slots 254 directed right-to-left to the bore portions255.

Alternatively or additionally to the opening direction of the slots 254,a carrier ring may also have the safety feature of a stop means 256thereon so that the clamp lugs 226 will not by rotated off the positiveretention means 27 should the fastening nuts become loose oruntightened. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the stop means 256 may one ormore axial projections, stamped as at 257 from the web portion 251,radially inwardly of a slot 254. An axial projections 256 is positionedso as to contact a fastening nut 28 in the event of a slight rotation ofthe carrier ring 227.

The clamp lugs 226 preferably have four working surfaces thereon. Eachclamp lug 226 may have an inclined surface 259 for sliding and matingengagement with a wheel surface 39, a convex surface 260 for sliding andseating engagement on a wheel surface 40, an axially oriented surface262 for seating the rim flange surface 32, and a radially orientedsurface 263 for positioning the rim flange surface 33. As describedbelow, the form of clamp lug 226 shown in FIG. 7 has only the surfaces259, 260 and 262, with the equivalent of surface 263 being on the flange252 of the carrier ring 227.

Referring to the form of carrier ring 227 shown in FIG. 3, the axiallydirected flange 252 may be arcuately shaped providing two surfaces, aradially inner surface 265 and an axially inner surface 266, forattachment by welding of the clamp lugs 226.

Referring to Fig. 5, the carrier ring 227 may have a flange portion 252terminating in a radially oriented surface 267 for attachment by weldingof the clamp lugs 226.

Referring to FIG. 7, the carrier ring may have a flange portion 252 witha radially oriented surface 268 for positioning the rim flange surface33. The clamp lugs 226 are attached by welding to an axially orientedsurface 269.

Referring to FIG. 8, the carrier ring 227 has no axially directed flangeportion and the clamp lugs 266 have an axially outwardly directed stemor mounting portion 271 attached by welding to radially outer portionsof the web surface 253.

When utilizing the rim and wheel assembly according to the invention,the clamp means are positioned with the support bolts projectingoutwardly through the wheel bores. The rim (carrying a tire) is fittedover the wheel until the rim flange mounting surface contacts the clampmeans. It is not necessary to completely remove the fastening means,when in the form of nuts on the threaded bolt portions, when changing atire. Thereafter, the carrier ring is fitted over the support bolts andthe clamp lugs are rotated on the positive retention means between thefastening nuts and the wheel boss surfaces.

Installation of the carrier ring and clamp lugs will tend to arc or camthe rim flange into a proper radial position. The rim will be centeredradially at the beginning or entry portion of the clamp lug seatingsurfaces. Thereafter, tightening of the nuts will draw the positivelyguided clamp means axially outwardly to precisely and accurately seatthe rim flange between the clamp means and the clamp lugs. 7 What isclaimed is:

l. A rim and wheel assembly with clamping elements including a series ofaxially inner clamp means and a series of axially outer clamp lugsprojecting radially inwardly of an annular carrier ring,

said wheel having a peripheral portion with means thereon for positiveretention of said clamp lugs, said clamp means being supported byfastening elements extending axially through bores in the wheel andcarrying fastening means thereon which draw said clamp means toward saidclamp lugs to seat rim flange surfaces,

said carrier ring having means (254 and 255) thereon so that said clamplugs may be positioned as to said fastening elements and rotated ontosaid positive retention means without removal'of said fastening meansfrom said fastening elements,

said carrier ring further having stop means (256) so that said clamplugs will not be rotated off said positive retention means should saidfastening means become loose or untightened during operation. 2. A rimand wheel assembly with clamping elements including a series of axiallyinner clamp means and a series of axially outer clamp lugs projectingradially inwardly of an annular carrier ring,

said wheel having a peripheral portion with means thereon for positiveretention of said clamp lugs,

said clamp means being supported by fastening ele ments extendingaxially through bores in the wheel and carrying fastening means thereonwhich draw said clamp means toward said clamp lugs to seat said rimflange surfaces,

said carrier ring having a radially inwardly directed circumferentiallycontinuous web protion (251), a series of arcuate slots (254) formed ona radius concentric with said wheel bores, each said slot terminating inan enlarged diameter bore portion (255), each said slot and said slotbore portion providing means so that said clamp lugs may be rotated ontothe said positive retention means without removal of said fasteningmeans from said fastening elements,

said web portion of the carrier ring further having one or more axialprojections (257) radially inwardly of said slot, said axial projectionsbeing positioned so as to contact the fastening means in the event of aslight rotation of said carrier ring when said fastening means are onsaid fastening elements.

1. A rim and wheel assembly with clamping elements including a series ofaxially inner clamp means and a series of axially outer clamp lugsprojecting radially inwardly of an annular carrier ring, said wheelhaving a peripheral portion with means thereon for positive retention ofsaid clamp lugs, said clamp means being supported by fastening elementsextending axially through bores in the wheel and carrying fasteningmeans thereon which draw said clamp means toward said clamp lugs to seatrim flange surfaces, said carrier ring having means (254 and 255)thereon so that said clamp lugs may be positioned as to said fasteningelements and rotated onto said positive retention means without removalof said fastening means from said fastening elements, said carrier ringfurther having stop means (256) so that said clamp lugs will not berotated off said positive retention means should said fastening meansbecome loose or untightened during operation.
 2. A rim and wheelassembly with clamping elements including a series of axially innerclamp means and a series of axially outer clamp lugs projecting radiallyinwardly of an annular carrier ring, said wheel having a peripheralportion with means thereon for positive retention of said clamp lugs,said clamp means being supported by fastening elements extending axiallythrough bores in the wheel and carrying fastening means thereon whichdraw said clamp means toward said clamp lugs to seat said rim flangesurfaces, said carrier ring having a radially inwardly directedcircumferentially continuous web protion (251), a series of arcuateslots (254) formed on a radius concentric with said wheel bores, eachsaid slot terminating in an enlarged diameter bore portion (255), eachsaid slot and said slot bore portion providing means so that said clamplugs may be rotated onto the said positive retention means withoutremoval of said fastening means from said fastening elements, said webportion of the carrier ring further having one or more axial projections(257) radially inwardly of said slot, said axial projections beingpositioned so as to contact the fastening means in the event of a slightrotation of said carrier ring when said fastening means are on saidfastening elements.